Australian food start up selected for accelerator program

Seeds of Change accelerator program
Food & Beverage Industry News | 26 August 2019

The Australian Superfood Co has been selected to take part in the Mars Food Australia’s inaugural Seeds of Change Accelerator program.

Hayley Blieden, founder of The Australian Superfood Co is thrilled to have been chosen as one of six start-ups to participate in this prestigious program.

“We are so excited to work with Mars to increase awareness and accessibility of Australian native ingredients. Having access to their team of experts will enable us to fast track growth and build a healthier, more sustainable food system,” she said.

The Australian Superfood Co was one of 224 national applicants. TASC was chosen as one of the 15 finalists and then as one of the six start-ups selected for the Accelerator.

TASC will receive a grant of up to $40 000 and will undertake a four-month program to tackle business challenges and to increase business growth.

The SEEDS of Change Accelerator is designed to help early-stage Australian food-focused start-ups fast-track growth and build a healthier and more sustainable future.

The finalists have access to an extensive support system to help them become the next generation of food businesses transforming the way Australians eat and share meals. The Accelerator program also offers a series of face-to-face workshops and access to a team of expert mentors and advisers from within the Mars business and across the wider Australian food innovation network.

Hayley Blieden and Ralph Wollner produce a range of food products from Australian native bush foods such as native fruit powders, herbs, and spices, fruit and granolas. As well as having their own product range, they supply ingredients to food, beverage and beauty manufacturers as well as chefs, cafes and bartenders. Their goal is to increase accessibility and affordability of Australian native produce to enhance respect for Australia’s indigenous culture and foster the local food movement.

“By increasing awareness, accessibility and affordability of Australian superfoods, we aim to increase demand and encourage Australians to cultivate our own native plants rather than import foreign varieties. In supporting local communities and growers we wish to refashion what is currently a cottage industry, into a booming trade,” said Blieden. “Aboriginal people have been generous in sharing their knowledge and expertise about the bounty and treasures of their native land.The Australian Superfood Co aims to enhance respect of the traditional practices and culture of Indigenous people and to promote their communities through the growing awareness of Australian Superfoods.”

This article first appeared in FoodMag and can be found here.

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